Assistant Director and Pre K Lead

The PreK Lead Educator/Assistant Director is responsible for the physical,

mental, emotional, and social well-being and the supervision of his/her assigned group of

children.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director, the PreK Lead Educator/Assistant Director performs all

of the following:

Child Development and Supervision

• Plans, supervises, and implements the childcare program in accordance with policies

and the philosophy of the center.

• Treats each child with dignity and respect.
• Helps children become aware of their roles as integral members of a group.
• Physically supervises all activities of children in their care, supervision standards and

processes must be maintained at all times both inside and outside of the center.

• Provides consistent care of children's needs throughout the day, including but not limited

to:

o Feeding

o Diapering

o Toilet Training

o Comforting

o Guidance

o Nap

o Play

o Learning

• Tailors the program to the needs of individual children with concern for their interests,

handicaps, special talents, and individual style and pace of learning.

• Considers individual children in relation to their cultural and socioeconomic background.
• Leads developmentally appropriate activities and lessons that include dramatic play,

block/manipulative, gross/fine motor, arts/crafts, music/movement, language,

math/science, indoor/outdoor activities, etc.

• Communicates daily with parents regarding child's day/activities.
• Evaluates child's performance and completes a developmental checklist as required.

r r

• Provides medical care as needed to children.
• Identifies behavioral problems and determine the right course of action.
• Submits lesson plans at least one week in advance to the Director.
• Coordinates activities for volunteers.

Classroom and Program Management

• Responsible for the arrangement, appearance, decor, and learning environment of the

classroom.

• Ensures classroom environment, lesson plans, and all other quality criteria are

maintained at all times.

• Responsible for maintaining accurate documentation and records of attendance,

accidents, activity sheets, etc.

• Responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of and reporting any maintenance/repair for the

classroom.

• Assumes an equal share of housekeeping responsibilities (indoors and outdoors).
• Responsible for ensuring the classroom is adequately stocked with any necessary forms

or supplies each day before the first child arrives.

• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Participates in recommended training programs, conferences, CPR and First Aid

courses, and other aspects of professional development (Minimum hours required: 16

per year)

• Implements methods for effectively utilizing Educational Assistants.
• Represents the Infant/Toddler Lead Educator position, the YWCA, and UVA Wise in a

hospitable manner to guests and in contact outside the center.

• Maintains a positive, flexible, and cooperative relationship with all staff and volunteers of

the agency.

• Assists the Director in supervising classroom staff/volunteers and ensuring the smooth

coordination of all classroom activities and plans.

• Carries out standards of Virginia Department of Education licensure rules; responsible to

read, review, and understand all regulations.

• Responsible for reporting in an appropriate and timely manner any noncompliance with

UVA Wise or YWCA policies and procedures, VDOE licensure rules, and local, state,

and federal regulations.

• Performs other duties assigned by the Director.

Employee/Student Development

• Directs and encourages employee/student development in various areas including

classroom management, age-appropriate activities, child welfare and special event

planning.

• Provides training and general development for staff/students.
• Maintains an effective, communicative relationship with University staff regarding student

relations and performance.

(

• Manage and supervise the students and on-site requirements of the early childhood

endorsement program of UVA Wise.

• Coordinates any student observations and internships.

Program Management and Development

• Acts in the place of Director in their absence.
• Ensures the center operates within the guidelines of the Commonwealth of Virginia and

Department of Education licensure rules.

• Assists the Director in training and supervising employees in a manner necessary to

implement the goals and meet the needs of the center.

• Assists the Director in preparing topics and materials needed for monthly staff meetings.

Responsible for being an active participant during monthly staff meetings and may be

required to conduct a staff meeting in the Director's absence.

• Informs parents of all activities, changes and special events by verbal communication,

newsletters, memos, parent meetings or whatever means necessary. Plans activities

and special events.

• Maintains cooperative efforts between the program and the community.
• Maintains confidentiality in regard to children, parents, families and caregivers.
• Ensures that facilities and equipment are maintained in such a manner as to meet

appropriate health and safety codes.

• Meet with fire and sanitation and licensing officials as needed when they make their

annual inspections.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree with Virginia teaching license, required
• minimum 2 years experience in licensed facility, preferred

General Requirements

• Works in a safety-conscious manner, which ensures that safe work practices are used in

order not to pose a risk to self or others in the workplace. Reports any safety violations

or hazards to the supervisor.

• Complies with YWCA and UVA Wise policies and procedures and local, state, and

federal regulations.

• Adheres to a drug-free workplace.
• Interacts in a tactful, diplomatic, and humanistic manner with children, families, visitors,

volunteers, and co-workers to provide a safe and caring environment that ensures selfrespect,

personal dignity, rights, and physical safety of each person.

• Maintains a dependable attendance record and adheres to standards of cleanliness,

grooming hygiene, and dress code.

• Ensures equal opportunity in the conduct of all business activities without regard to race,

color, religion, sex/gender, age, national origin, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or

any other legally protected category.

Physical Demands

• Walking, standing, talking, and hearing. The employee must be able to hear children at

all times, must be able to see the children with a quick glance, and must be able to

physically respond immediately.

• Ability to routinely lift children, move furniture in an early childhood classroom, and

sustain long hours of active work for 8 hours or more.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Agility to move quickly and keep pace with young children.

Mental Demands

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written).
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to remain alert and energetic for 8 hours or more.

Travel

• Minimal travel required. Some travel may be required for trainings.